European Car Brands
Europe’s auto industry is the backbone of the EU economy. The turnover generated by the sector factors for 7% of the GDP of the European Union. Vehicles produced in Europe are reliable, sustainable, energy-efficient, and safest in the market. So much so that 80% of the growth of the automobile industry happens outside the Union. This article takes you through the various European brands from Germany, Italy, France, and United Kingdom, sports cars, and finally, the most reliable European cars.
Best European Car Brands
European cars have long been considered to be of high quality and a class above other countries. Even though vehicles from Asia and the US dominate the market, they have maintained their high status, thus becoming an important part of the World Car Heritage. They are the epitome of beauty, aesthetics, performance, and class. Here are the top car brands (in no particular order):
- Volkswagen
- Renault
- Peugeot
- Mercedes
- BMW
Major Car Brands from Germany
German automotive industry has given birth to many high-performance sports cars and still does. German designed cars have won some of the prestigious awards, including European Car of the year, the International car of the year, World car of the year, amongst many.
- Volkswagen – Mass Market
One of the largest car manufacturers globally, Volkswagen owns most of the big automobile names in the country. Founded in the year 1937, Volkswagen’s name amounted to more than half of its sales in 2018.
- Mercedes-Benz – Luxury
Mercedes-Benz the luxury car brand that has quietly revolutionized the German motoring industry in many ways. The brand is a collaboration between Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler from the Daimler Motor Company.
- Audi – Luxury
Audi, the luxury car manufacturer, is known for its innovative technologies(Audi’s Virtual Cockpit) and flawless interiors. The brand is recognizable for its emblem, the 4-rings.
- BMW – Luxury
Famous for its tagline “Ultimate Driving Machine,” BMW is one of the most diverse luxury car brands in just Germany and the continent. It prides itself on providing the best driving experience. Their emblem reflects the colors of Bavaria.
- Porsche – Luxury
Known for the legendary Porsche 911, the brand is known for its exclusivity and high performance. The vehicle is known for its classic styling and features that do not change much with each model.
Major Car Brands from the United Kingdom
Being the pioneers of the industrial revolution, some of the much-loved ultra-luxury cars and luxury sports cars are from the United Kingdom. Except for Rolls-Royce, all the vehicles are made in the United Kingdom.
- Aston Martin – Luxury
Long before its fame, the Aston Martin had a legion of fans in the United Kingdom, starting with James Bond. Their current portfolio includes Vantage and the upcoming Rapide.
- Bentley – Ultra-Luxury
Synonymous with luxury, Bentley was a fixture among the United Kingdom automobile organizations and pioneers for the 70’s saloon cars. It won the prestigious Le Mans race 5 times between the ’20s and the ’30s.
- Rolls Royce – Ultra-Luxury
Rolls Royce is the epitome of luxury. Their vehicles are huge, extravagant, and are tailored to the demands of the customers.
Major Car Brands from France
Though France has a long history of manufacturing cars, they were never much about mechanical engineering. But still, they have the most beautiful cars in the country.
- Peugeot – Mass-Market
The France vehicle manufacturers are the longest-standing car companies dating as far back as Napoleon Bonaparte. They come under the parent company PSA group which holds Citroën, Opel, Groupe PSA, ARAMIS SAS, and more under its umbrella.
- Renault – Mass-Market
Founded over 120 years ago, the France car company Renault has known for its racing cars as well as their family-oriented vehicles. It has a strategic partnership with Nissan and Mitsubishi, making it the world’s largest seller of light vehicles.
- Bugatti – Luxury Supercars
Bugatti has the reputation of being the oldest vehicle makers in Italy and the continent dating back to 1909. Its portfolio includes the Bugatti Veyron, the fastest production vehicle.
Major Car Brands from Italy
The racing world would not be the same without cars from Italy. They have a history of building some of the best sports cars.
- Fiat – Small Cars
Famous for its stylish looks and affordable prices, Fiat also has some sports cars, aka roadsters. Though they lost their place in the last few years, the launch of the Fiat 500 has taken it back to the top.
- Ferrari – Super Luxury Sports Cars
Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1939 Ferrari, the car manufacturers from Italy are an embodiment of style and nicknamed the Italian Stallion. They are well known for their sports cars and their F1 racing team.
- Maserati – Super Luxury Sports Cars
Though primarily associated with luxury cars, Maserati makes luxury vehicles in executive saloons and grand tourers (SUVs) models.
- Lamborghini – Super Luxury Sports Cars
Designed by Ferruccio Lamborghini, Lamborghini is relatively new in 1963. Synonymous to supercars, the Italian car companies are the pioneers for the concept of a hyperloop.
Which Is Better: Mercedes Benz, BMW or Audi?
To start with, all three are premium luxury brands based out of Germany. Of the three, Benz has a safety record and is known for being reliable. The other two brands not so much with Audi ranking the lowest but has superior features and technology. BMW, on the other hand, is sporty and offers a superior driving experience.
Which Is Faster: Audi or BMW?
BMW is faster due to its edgy and sporty design. On the other hand, Audi tends to be more conservative. Comparing the speeds of the two vehicles of similar configuration, the former is the fastest.
Biggest Car Manufacturer in Europe
Volkswagen group from Germany has long been the biggest European vehicle manufacturers. It is also the parent company for Porsche, Audi, Škoda, SEAT, Bugatti, Bentley, and Lamborghini.
Top-Selling European Car in 2020
Volkswagen Golf is the top-selling car on the continent. Manufactured by VW German carmakers, they sold 312,000 models in the European continent in 2020 alone.
Sports Cars in Europe
Sports cars may be anything from a two-seater to a track car or even a front-engined grand touring coupé. Here’s a list of the best European sports cars:
- Porsche Boxster
- Jaguar F-Type
- Mercedes SLS AMG
- Audi R8
- Ferrari 458 Italia
- Lamborghini Aventador
- BMW Z4
Most Popular European Car Brands in the US
As of 2020, Volkswagen was first among the best-selling European car brands in the United States. It was closely followed by Mercedes Benz and BMW, all of which are from Germany.
Top 10 Luxury Car Brands from Europe
Luxury cars are known for their powerful engines and impeccable interiors. Whether it is the speed or the performance, luxury vehicles are a class above the rest.
- Aston Martin
- Lotus
- Bentley
- Bugatti
- Ferrari
- Lamborghini
- Maserati
- Mercedes-Benz
- Porsche
- Rolls-Royce
Are European Cars Reliable?
European cars are the most dependable and mainly reliable through their innovation, technological advancements, styling, and, most importantly, their interiors’ quality.
Most Reliable European Car Brand
The most reliable European car brand is Mercedes Benz, with its quality build and dependability. Their s-class has earned a reputation for being one the safest cars. Another expected brand in the list is Porsche with its 911. But keep in mind that both these cars rely primarily on technologies and hence would require regular maintenance. The unexpected entry in the list is Peugeot with its new launch, Peugeot 3008.
Why Are European Cars So Expensive?
European cars, particularly those from Germany, are among the most expensive cars. But they are rightly so and for the below factors:
- Excellent quality of the materials
- Expensive and exhaustive engineering
- Valuable brand name
- Labor costs
- Exchange rates
Conclusion
There is no doubt that European cars are some of the most beautiful, stylish, and technologically advanced on this side of the continent. The vehicles listed above are not just the peak of beauty but also luxury in most cases. Moreover, driving such beauties gives you an experience matched by nothing else. However, the countries will also have homegrown brands that are not presented in this article. For over 45 years, Little Germany is a certified Service Center that specializes in full service and repair services for German-made cars. Contact Little Germany for all your auto repair needs (After-Hours form).
